Confessions of a Grieving Mother

Listen as Jaime shares her feelings about getting the diagnosis of Down Syndrome and delivering Josiah preterm at 25 weeks gestation. Josiah lived for 21 days and passed away on November 15th, 2020. Jaime pumped her breast milk for six months and gave back to families in honor of Josiah. That is just the beginning of how she has shown up as his mother. 

Type of Loss: StillbirthMore about this story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Brittney Dunphy shares the heartbreaking story of her son, Garth. After a long and healthy pregnancy, Brittney went into her 38-week appointment expecting to hear her baby boy’s heartbeat—but instead learned the unimaginable: Garth had passed away.He was stillborn after tying a true knot in his umbilical cord, a tragic and rare event that forever changed Brittney’s life. She opens up about the shock, the grief, and the love she carries for her son.Join us as we honor Garth’s memory and hold space for Brittney’s journey through loss and healing.

Grief doesn’t follow a straight line and triggers can show up anywhere, anytime. In this episode, we talk with Pamela Presler, about what grief triggers really are, why they can feel so overwhelming, and how to navigate them with compassion and care.Pam shares practical strategies for recognizing your own triggers, responding in ways that honor both your grief and your healing, and creating space for growth along the way. Whether it’s a date on the calendar, a place you visit, or an unexpected reminder, this conversation offers hope and tools to walk through those difficult moments.

Type of Loss: Infant lossMore about this episode: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, we hear from Emily as she shares the story of her son, Charlie. From the very beginning, Charlie’s journey was filled with uncertainty. He was expected not to survive pregnancy and faced a 95% chance of having Down syndrome. Against all odds, he was born and continued to defy expectations.At just five months old, Charlie went into cardiac arrest, leaving lasting neurological impacts. Despite ongoing medical challenges, he lived at home surrounded by love until pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension became too much for his little body to fight. Emily opens up about the many layers of grief she and her family have faced from grieving during pregnancy, through medical crises, and finally in saying goodbye. She shares honestly about the anger, the heartbreak, and the tension between faith and human limitation when it comes to caring for medically complex children.

Type of loss: StillbirthMore about Christina’s story: In this episode, we talk with Christina Fitting as she shares the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter, Julia. At 38 and a half weeks pregnant, Christina went in for what was supposed to be a routine appointment—only to be told that her baby girl’s heartbeat had stopped.Christina opens up about the shock of hearing those words, the moments that followed, and the lifelong impact of carrying both love and grief for Julia. Through her story, she reminds us that behind every stillbirth statistic is a family forever changed.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

In this episode, Tracy and Julie share everything you need to know about our upcoming Emma’s Footprints Memorial Walks. These special gatherings are a time to say your baby’s name out loud, walk beside others who truly understand, and honor where you are in your grief journey.Whether this will be your very first walk or it has become a yearly tradition, we invite you to join us in remembrance, healing, and connection. Save the dates:🧡 Pittsburgh, PA – September 13 at Robert Morris University Island Sports Center🩷 Erie, PA – September 21 at Penn State Behrend💙 Melbourne, FL – November 15 at Wickham ParkYour baby’s life matters, and we are here to walk beside you.

Type of loss: Incompetent Cervix, StillbirthMore about Michaela’s story: In this episode, Tracy and Julie talk with Michaela about the loss of her son, Jackson James. Late in her pregnancy, Michaela received a diagnosis of incompetent cervix (IC), but only after her high-risk specialist caught it during an ultrasound that was performed just a few days too late for an emergency cerclage, and a few days too early for Jackson to be saved in the NICU.Michaela shares the shock of learning about IC so late in her pregnancy and the devastation of realizing how narrow the window was to save her baby boy. She opens up about the silence surrounding IC losses, the emotional toll of feeling overlooked by the healthcare system, and the grief journey she has walked since saying goodbye to Jackson.In Jackson’s memory, Michaela is passionate about raising awareness for incompetent cervix losses, advocating for earlier detection and proactive care so other families don’t experience the same heartache.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: SIDS, Infant LossMore about Rebecca’s story: In this episode, Tracy and Julie talk with Rebecca Toohey about the life and sudden passing of her son, Bodie. Just two days into starting childcare, Bodie tragically passed away due to unsafe sleep practices and lack of supervision. He was just shy of 3 months old.Rebecca shares the devastating moment she learned of Bodie’s passing and the waves of grief that followed. She opens up about the trauma of losing him in a space meant to be safe, the guilt and anger that surfaced in the early days, and how their family is navigating life without their baby boy.In Bodie’s memory, Rebecca and her loved ones created Bodie's Buddies , a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the silence around baby loss and spreading awareness about safe sleep practices. She also reflects on the life-changing support she received from Emma’s Footprints early in her grief, and the continued healing her husband has found through Sad Dads Club.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

More about this episode: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie take a pause from storytelling to reflect on the heart of Emma’s Footprints and the families we’ve served so far this year. The numbers may seem like data, but each one represents a baby loved and missed, and parents navigating life after unimaginable loss.Together, they discuss the emotional weight behind these statistics and the sacred work of showing up with compassionate guidance, financial support, and a listening ear. From helping cover burial and cremation costs to providing counseling and memorial items, this episode offers a glimpse into the day-to-day impact of Emma’s mission.If this work speaks to your heart, we invite you to join us in making a difference on Erie Gives Day, Tuesday, August 12. Visit www.ErieGives.org to donate and honor the families we serve—because every number has a name, and every name matters.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: StillbirthMore about Stephanie’s story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie sit down with Stephanie Casey to talk about the loss of her daughter, Ava. At her 20-week anatomy scan, Stephanie heard the words no parent ever expects: "There's no heartbeat." Based on Ava's size, doctors estimated she passed around 17 weeks gestation. Stephanie was induced and delivered Ava the following day. Later, they learned that Ava had passed away due to cytomegalovirus (CMV).Stephanie shares her journey through pregnancy, fear, and postpartum anxiety—beginning with complications in her daughter Kaylee’s birth, and continuing into Ava’s pregnancy. She opens up about the trauma surrounding Ava’s delivery, the fear she felt during her D&C procedure, and the intense grief that followed. Stephanie also reflects on the emotional complexities of introducing Ava to her living daughter, the pain of regret, and the impact of delayed fetal demise on her ability to hold and connect with Ava after birth.Now in trauma therapy, Stephanie shares how she’s learning to say “I’m not okay” and searching for purpose in her pain. Her story is a raw and powerful reminder that no one should walk this road alone.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie talk with Pamela Presler, LCSW, about the complex journey of pregnancy after loss.Pam shares her insight from years of walking alongside grieving parents and dives deep into the emotional rollercoaster that comes with hoping for new life after heartbreak. From navigating fear and anxiety to holding space for both grief and joy, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone who has experienced or is currently experiencing a pregnancy after loss.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: Infant loss after life-limiting diagnosis (HLHS, heterotaxy syndrome)More about Jenelle’s story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie talk with Jenelle Romo about the life and loss of her son, Mateo. Diagnosed in utero with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and heterotaxy syndrome with polysplenia, Mateo was born on July 20, 2023, and spent his entire life in the Cardiovascular ICU.Jenelle shares the complexities of Mateo’s medical journey, including multiple surgeries, serious infections, and the moment they were told there was nothing more doctors could do. Mateo passed away at 44 days old, surrounded by love. Jenelle reflects on the heartbreak of watching her son fight so hard and the deep love that carried them through each day. She also shares how her grief led her to start Mateo’s Mark, a nonprofit supporting other perinatal loss families through care packages and financial assistance.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

More about this episode: In this episode, Julie is joined by special co-host Khristina for a conversation with Kathy, a first-time participant in the Emma’s Footprints Memorial Walk. Kathy shares her emotional journey walking in memory of her son, Jonathan, and reflects on what the experience meant to her as a grieving mom. From putting together her team to honoring her son’s memory in a public space, Kathy offers practical tips, honest reflections, and gentle encouragement for others preparing to walk for the first time—whether you’re building your own team or joining another.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

In this special episode, Tracy and Julie talk with Carol Cacchione, the nurse who walked into Tracy's hospital room the night Emma was born. Their conversation is a moving reflection on the sacred moments of that night, the lifelong impact Carol had on Tracy in the darkest hours of her life, and the unexpected bond that was formed in the midst of devastating loss.This episode is a heartfelt tribute not only to Emma, but to the caregivers who step into these fragile moments and change lives with their compassion.

Type of loss: Life-limiting diagnosis, stillbornMore about Brittany's story: In this episode of Confessions of a Grieving Mother, Tracy and Julie talk with Brittany Crawford about the loss of her daughter, Norah. At 12 weeks gestation, Brittany learned that Norah had a rare genetic condition called Arthrogryposis. After weeks of seeing specialists, she was told at 18 weeks that Norah would not survive. Norah passed away at 18 weeks and 5 days, and Brittany delivered her a few days later at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh. Brittany shares what it was like to receive that diagnosis, prepare for loss, and deliver her daughter.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: PPROM, Infant lossMore about Sam's story: Sam Yanes shares the incredible story of her son, Antonio "Tony". From the early weeks of pregnancy filled with bleeding and uncertainty to a courageous NICU journey that spanned eight months, Sam walks us through every heartbreaking and hope-filled moment.Tony was born at just 25 weeks, weighing 1lb 15oz, and immediately faced a mountain of medical challenges. Despite infections, breathing issues, surgeries, and long days in the ICU, Sam clung to her faith and fought fiercely for her son. She opens up about the trauma of his birth, the miracle of holding him without wires for the first and last time, and how her faith has been her anchor through unimaginable grief.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

In this Mother’s Day episode, Tracy and Julie read heartfelt letters written by loss moms to their babies. These personal reflections offer a glimpse into the enduring love, grief, and hope carried by mothers every day—especially on Mother's Day. From tender memories and imagined milestones to promises of reunion, each letter honors a life gone too soon and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.

Type of loss: early term loss, twin lossMore about Valerie's story: Valerie as she reflects on the raw moments of saying hello and goodbye to her boys. Newly married and full of joy, Valerie and her husband were thrilled to learn they were expecting twins—a dream come true. For four months, they envisioned life as twin parents, filled with excitement and hope. But their joy turned to grief when unexpected pain led to a devastating hospital visit. Valerie was already 8 centimeters dilated. She knew what that meant.Valerie also opens up about the beautiful, full-circle connection to her own parents, who lost twin boys 40 years earlier. Through faith, shared grief, and the support of Emma’s Footprints, their family has found deep healing across generations.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: Infant loss, medical negligenceMore about Kayla's story: Kayla shares the devastating details of her son's preventable death, how she fought through her medical case to prove negligence, and what it means to finally speak his story out loud. Kayla honors Onyx’s life by sharing the depth of her grief and the strength she’s found in the aftermath—showing us how love, advocacy, and resilience can rise even in the wake of unimaginable loss.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints

Type of loss: Infant-lossMore about Rebecca's story: Rebecca shares the devastating story of her twin son's passing—born prematurely at 31 weeks with underdeveloped organs, her son Jacob experienced severe breathing issues and was placed on a ventilator. Without her knowledge, he passed away on his third day of life.More about Emma's Footprints:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EmmasFootprints.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: @EmmasFootprintsInstagram: @EmmasFootprints